As soon as the temperature starts to drop and the leaves change color, I stock up on cold medicine. The crisp fall air lets me know that flu season is right around the corner.  But I’m not the only one who has to worry about the sniffles.

Is it just me or is one of the saddest things in the world is seeing a child sick? Especially when they can’t verbalize how they are feeling or what hurts. It can be pretty frustrating. Obviously, you can’t blame a baby or a toddler for catching whatever bug is flying around the local playground. It’s not their fault for feeling sick, but as an adult who wants to help, I feel terrible when I can’t find the right solution for the situation.

On Labor Day, I was put in that exact situation. The best friend I’ve had since I was three just moved with her husband and daughter.  It’s been exciting for them, but with a new home comes a ton of packing and work. The last thing they need is a sick child, but sadly, that’s exactly what they got!

Sick happens

Armed with bagels and donuts, I visited them at their new house. A few minutes into the grand tour of their new abode, it was obvious to her mother that little Alyssa wasn’t feeling too hot. She had a little cough and she traded her usual sunny disposition for a little bit of cranky. I usually head for the hills when I hear a child is suffering from a cold or cough so I don’t get infected with germs. This time, I was thrust into the thick of it and while I don’t know much, I did my best to lend a helping hand to Alyssa and her mommy. After a visit to the pharmacy, a mini-meltdown and a nap, Alyssa still wasn’t feeling well. 

I felt helpless. I can’t even imagine how her mother felt. Not even two years old, Alyssa looked so sad (and she had the tears to prove it). I tried funny faces and soothing words, but nothing seemed to help. Even Elmo couldn’t save the day this time. What was worst was that I didn’t know how to be there for my friend. As much as it pained me to watch Alyssa struggle, I knew it made her mom was upset that her baby was sick.

My friend told me that Alyssa had a respiratory infection, something I used to get all the time as a little girl so I know how draining it can be.  Alyssa’s doctor gave her medicine to make her feel better and thankfully, it’s already working.

So what did I learn? Sick happens. And sometimes even the best and most experienced aunties and parents can’t fix everything, no matter how hard you try. All you can do is try to understand and hope that the medicine will work it’s magic.

How do you care for your nieces and nephew when they aren’t feeling well?